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For the music director. A psalm (maskil) of the sons of Korah.
1 As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you, God.
2 I am thirsty for God, the living God. When can I go and see God's face?* This phrase is thought to mean a spiritual experience, perhaps in the Temple.
3 My tears have been my only food, day and night, while people ask me all day long, “Where is your God?”
4 I am crushed† Literally, “I pour out within me my soul.” as I remember how I walked with the crowds, leading them in a procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and songs of thanks among the worshipers at the festival.
5 Why am I so discouraged? Why do I feel so sad? I will hope in God; I will praise him because he is the one who saves me‡ Literally, “the acts of salvation of his face, my God.”—
6 my God! Even though I am very discouraged, I still remember you: from the land of Jordan and Hermon, and from Mount Mizar.
7 You thunder through the raging waters, through the noise of the waterfalls. Your crashing waves surge over me—I feel like I'm drowning.§ Implied.
8 But every day the Lord shows me his trustworthy love; every night he gives me songs to sing—a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I cry out, “My God, my rock, why have you forgotten me? Why must I go around weeping because of the attacks of my enemies?”
10 The mocking of my attackers crushes my bones. They're always asking me, “Where is your God?”
11 Why am I so discouraged? Why do I feel so sad? I will hope in God; I will praise him because he is the one who saves me—my God!